Star of Film and Stage, Janis Paige, Dead at 101

If you are a fan of old-school Hollywood and Broadway, you are about to be devastated.

Janis Paige, who found Hollywood fame in 1944 and stormed Broadway in 1954, has passed away.

Paige was 101 years old. No cause of death was released as of this report.

Talented Lady

Paige had a classic look for her time, and boy did she cash in.

Her acting debut was in 1944 in “Bathing Beauty,” cast as Janis.

After appearing in a short, she landed a role as a studio guide in “Hollywood Canteen,” which starred Bette Davis, John Garfield, and The Andrews Sisters.

That started a career that would span nearly seven decades, with her final credit being an appearance on “Family Law” in 2001.

What is really amazing is that with all that talent and a host of credits to her name, she was only nominated once, but she did get her Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame in 1960.

Some would say her true calling was Broadway, where she was first noticed in 1951 in “Remains to be Seen.”

In 1954, she blew the doors wide open with her performance in “The Pajama Game,” which earned her the cover of Esquire Magazine in December 1954.

Unfortunately, Paige did not get the role in the film version as was originally slated.

The producers wanted one big-name star for the film. They had targeted Frank Sinatra to play opposite Paige, but he declined the role, so they hired Doris Day to play her part, with John Raitt as Sid.

Paige took a break from Broadway, but came back in 1963 as well as another role in 1968, taking over for Angela Lansbury in “Mame.”

Paige also made headlines during the #MeToo movement, claiming that Alfred Bloomingdale, the department store heir, tried to rape her after inviting her to dinner.

Paige claimed she escaped by biting him and then running down six flights of steps.

She stated, “Maybe there’s a special place in hell [for men like him]. Even at 95, I remember everything.”

Rest in peace, Ms. Paige, and thank you for the amazing stage and screen memories.